Location: Berkshires
Massachusetts may be well-known for its Boston hub, but the Western part of the state offers a happy alternative to Red Sox fans, designer shopping, and busy nightlife. Settle into the crisp air of the Berkshires, and let the tranquility of the mountains ease you into a state of awareness. The area is known best for its beautiful nature (especially in autumn), and visual and performing arts. When you’re not doing yoga, explore the picturesque back roads that lead you through gorgeous foliage to memorable spots like the Norman Rockwell Museum, or the Tanglewood Music Center.
Retreat: Kripalu
Your yoga journey in the Berkshires can start at any of the nearby centers (the locale is saturated in mind-body sites) but we recommend the Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health. The nation’s largest yoga and holistic retreat center, Kripalu offers 600 kinds of workshops, retreats, and yoga programs. Design your program according to what interest you, and choose from courses like “Writing the Mind Alive” and “Discover the Art of Being” or focus on detox, weight loss, vitality, or stress transformation. Spoil yourself with a massage, or take advantage of the Ayurvedic services like energy work, East Asian body work, and face treatments. Healing arts supplement 15 kinds of yoga, and once you absorb the center’s Ayurvedic (”science of life”) atmosphere, you’ll find yourself in harmony with the rhythm of your own body’s nature, as well as the nature around you.
Location: Sedona
Even thinking about Arizona is enough to make someone feel the heat and relaxation that the state emits. Sedona, of course, capitalizes on relaxation in a totally unique way connected by nature. Known for its stunning red rock landscape and its eminent energy vortexes that are said to release calming, artistic, and spiritual vibes, Sedona radiates a mystical environment and a refreshing energy. Its scenic desert terrain creates an ideal outdoor paradise for spiritual awakening.
Retreat: 7 Centers
While you could probably have an enlightening experience at any one of the beautiful yoga havens in Sedona, 7 Centers Yoga Arts was the first ever yoga studio in the city. Its 1700-square foot center is evocative of Spanish mission architecture – as if the gorgeous natural surroundings aren’t enough. Take daily classes here, or spend a few days on one of the in-depth yoga retreats or workshops. Creating a personalized healing program is a great way to incorporate the sciences of Ayurveda and Vedic Astrology into the traditional practices of yoga, to strengthen both the body and the mind. 7 Centers also offers “Intensives” like “Conflict Resolution” retreats for individuals who have specific internal goals in mind. You can also take a week-long chakra journey, which explores meditation through art, sound, and yoga. Hungry for some soul food? Spend time in the Ayurvedic kitchen learning to create balanced meals with all six tastes that pacify one’s constitution.
Location: Montreal
Entering Montreal is like traveling to a secret European city – except it’s hidden in Canada for half the price. It’s a non-traditional blend of metropolitan class and serene mountain stillness. Here, it’s easy to get wrapped up in the bustling nightlife, innovative music scene or the serious foodie culture, but it’s the awesome balance of laid back sophistication that makes Montreal so undeniably unique. In fact, its fusion of powerful intensity and utter calmness is a bit like yoga itself.
Retreat: Sivananda
Just north of Montreal, the Sivananda Ashram Yoga Camp sits among 250 forested acres of the Laurentian Mountains. The stillness here is one of the most stunning qualities, especially in comparison to its nearby city life. But the contrast, again, serves to what is most revered about yoga – the yin and the yang of peace and intensity. The Ashram is surrounded also by hiking and cycling trails, and water for swimming and canoeing. It welcomes yoga students of all levels, and has specific classes for beginners, prenatal women, and those looking incorporate a strong sense of meditation to their practice. There are also vegetarian cooking courses to satisfy your appetite after a day of learning and exploring.
